The most important thing about the trip for me though was having my wife with me.
Five years ago we went to the reunion together after we had only known each other for about six weeks. I was already in love with her and apparently I was proud of the fact (thank for reminding me of that Glenda). Kim handled being submerged in my past for a weekend very well and it was the happiest weekend of my life because I was in a place I loved with people I loved with the woman I loved. I proposed to her. She said yes.
We didn't really know each other very well and there were some misunderstandings about events of that weekend that put a division between us that I was unaware of for quite some time. Over time we got everything straightened out and we remain happily married. I am happier than I have been since High School or my time in Virginia. Even stuck in Hellabama, I can be happy.
Then the specter of the reunion rose again. I wanted Kim to come with me to renew the memory of all the wonderful things that happened and try to erase the bad memories. Kim was reluctant, but she went.
We had a wonderful time!
I thank all my friends for making her feel welcome. Any of you who brought spouses or have attended a spouse's reunion probably know how uncomfortable it can be to be in that situation. You were all great. I'm tearing up right now just thinking of how special my friends are.
After spending my whole youth moving from school to school every year, I made the right choice to go to Clinton High School. The people I knew there are, to this day, some of the best I have ever known. I love and miss you all.
Kim is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm glad she found me. I'm glad she married me. And I'm ecstatic that she still loves me even though I'm a grump, a blowhard and a burgeoning curmudgeon.
Kim, I love you. I love Sarah Kirstin, my stepdaughter. I love our dogs. I love our house.
I'll always be a grump. But my family and friends are exempt from my misanthropy.
Just sayin'.
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